Hey Guys!
Sorry I’ve been a bit dodgy with the posting this week, hopefully this post will explain how busy I’ve been!
So this is a slightly different and more personal post, but I feel it’s quite important to share this kind of thing with you. Recently I have had quite a lot of things going on in hospitals. In fact, just this week I had to have something called an endoscopy procedure where basically they put a really tiny camera down your throat and look at your stomach. I also had a pH study which is where they put a little tube down your nose to the top of your stomach and on the end nearest your stomach there’s a probe that measures how much acid there is in your stomach. I had to have the tube there for 24 hours! Last week I had to have this thing done called a Barium Swallow procedure where I had to drink something high in barium and then they x-rayed my stomach (Barium shows up on x-ray). I’ve also had and I’m going to have ordinary appointments as well, so yessss I’ve been very busy going to these places and I actually started writing this post two weeks ago to make sure it was done!! (See the pictures at the end if you don’t understand some of these things)
It’s obvious I know a thing or two about appointments and hospitals so I thought I’d share a few tips and useful things that I have found out doing all these things because I think that someone somewhere will find some of these very useful and it will help them (which is my aim)! So here we are, here’s some tips for dealing with hospitals:
TIP 1: Talk!
OK I know you’re like well duuhhh, but seriously, whatever you’re going to see a doctor or whoever about make sure you talk to them and tell them every little detail so that they know exactly how to help you, which leads me on to my next point….
TIP 2: Don’t be embarrassed!
They have heard it ALL, ok?! They’re not going to freak out or judge you. They’re trained in a way that makes them want to understand you and empathise with you. They don’t care how embarrassing it is, they just want to find out how they can deal with it! Which also leads me on to….
TIP 3: Don’t be scared!
They’re there to help you, not go against you! If you’re afraid something’s going to hurt, speak to them about it. It is in their best interests, as well as yours, that you are as comfortable as possible.
TIP 4: Be patient!
This is one of the hardest things! Nothing goes particularly fast in the NHS but I can assure you they’re working their very hardest for you!
TIP 5: Wear suitable clothing!
OK, this one sounds a bit stupid at first but really, if you know that the doctor needs to look at something on your back or your belly (for example), make sure it is easily accessible for them. It makes life easier for you and for them!
TIP 6: Do your bit!
Their advice is invaluable! Listen to it! If they say don’t do X. Y and Z, then don’t do it. They’re only thinking about what’s best for you.
TIP 8: If you believe the doctor or whoever isn’t doing their job properly, speak to someone!
This is important because their jobs are verrryy important in society and they save lives every day. If you believe the nurse or someone has made an error or is being generally sloppy in their work, bring it up with someone because any kind of slack in the NHS can cost lives!
TIP 9: Relax!
This links to the don’t be scared point, but this time I’m saying don’t be so tense and uptight! If it’s appropriate have some banter with the nurse, but only if they’re willing to play along too!
TIP 10: Everything will be OK in the end!
If you receive some bad news, don’t think that’s the end. You’re in the right place with loads of people who can help you, be optimistic! Unfortunately, bad things happen though sometimes, and you’ve just got to accept that I guess to the best of your ability!
Here are some pictures of me 🙂
I hope you found this post useful and let me know if it helped you or whether you want any more tips!
See you on Monday for a slightly more lighthearted post, although if you look out over the weekend I MAY post as compensation for not posting last Monday!!!!
See ya
30th Post Woo!
Leave a Reply